1.Pseudotumour cerebri in acute promyelocytic leukemia on treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) - an experience from a tertiary care centre
Manzoor Ahmad Tali ; Yasir Bashir ; Shuaeb Bhat ; Fahim Manzoor ; Nusrat Bashir ; Sajad Geelani ; Javid Rasool ; Abdul Waheed Mir
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2015;37(2):141-144
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is considered to be sensitive to all-trans-retinoic acid
(ATRA) which acts as a differentiating agent. ATRA is considered to be a well-tolerated agent
and is known to achieve complete remission in acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, a few
cases on long term all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) use can develop pseudotumor cerebri. Out of
32 patients with APML who were treated in our Centre over a 4-year-period, we encountered 6
patients who developed ATRA-related pseudotumor cerebri while on maintenance treatment. The
patients ranged from 12 to 40 years of age. 3 patients complained of unbearable headache, 2 of
diplopia and 1 of gross reduction in visual acuity. CT scans and MRI did not reveal any intracranial
lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination was normal with CSF manometry revealing a high
CSF pressure (average of 345mmH2O). Fundoscopy revealed papilledema in 5 patients and optic
atrophy in 1 patient. The patients were successfully managed with decrease dose/discontinuation
of ATRA, use of acetazolamide, corticosteroids and therapeutic CSF drainage.
2.Socio-demographic and Clinical Profile of Substance Abusers Attending a Regional Drug De-addiction Centre in Chronic Conflict Area: Kashmir, India
Yasir Hassan Rather ; Wiqar Bashir ; Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh ; Marya Amin ; Yasir Arafat Zahgeer
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2013;20(3):31-38
Background: The menace of substance abuse is not only a socially unacceptable reality, but in its entirety is a disease and emerging as a major public health challenge.
Objective: To study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients attending the drug de-addiction centre.
Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken in a drug de-addiction centre at the Police Hospital in Srinagar, and all patients (198) who were admitted during this period were interviewed.
Results: The mean (SD) age of patients was 26.8 years (SD 7.37), and over half (56%) belonged to the lower-middle social class. Poly-substance abuse was seen in 91.9%; medicinal opioids and cannabis were the most common substances abused. Most common age of initiation was 11–20 years (76.8%), with peer pressure and relief from a negative mood state being the most common reasons given for starting the drug(s). Prevalence of a co-morbid psychiatric disorder was high, on the order of 49.5%. A high rate of volatile substance use was observed among adolescents (54.5%).
Conclusion: A pattern of poly-substance abuse was found to be quite common in patients, and use of volatile substances at a very young age emerged as a new trend. The dreadful repercussions of substance abuse justify the urgency to evolve a comprehensive strategy.
Substance-Related Disorders
;
Heroin Dependence
;
Social Problems
;
India
3.Characterisation and pathological variability of Exserohilum turcicum responsible for causing northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) disease in Malaysia
Abdulaziz Bashir Kutawa ; Kamaruzaman Sijam ; Khairulmazmi Ahmad ; Zulkifli Ahmad Seman ; Mohd Shahril Firdaus Ab Razak ; Norzihan Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2017;13(1):xx-xx
Aims: Corn is grown primarily for human consumption. It is considered as the second most important cereal crop after
rice in Asia. Many diseases affect this crop due to planting of susceptible hybrids. This research is aimed to characterize
the causative agent of northern corn leaf blight disease in Malaysia, caused by Exserohilum turcicum.
Methodology and results: Leaf samples were collected from infected farms of 2 corn growing areas of Peninsular
Malaysia in 2015. A total of 5 fungal isolates were examined for cultural, morphological and molecular properties, and
based on the results, the five isolates were identified as E. turcicum. The conidial shapes were observed to be
elongated and spindle. Cultural characteristics showed that variation existed among the isolates in colony growth and
colour. Mycelia growth rates of the isolates were significantly different on potato dextrose agar (PDA), corn meal agar
(CMA) and potato sucrose agar (PSA) media, growth on CMA was faster than on PSA and PDA. The isolates were
grouped into three groups based on colony colour i.e. light gray, gray and dark gray. The isolates were categorized into
2 groups based on growth namely, moderate growth and profused growth. The number of septa ranged from 5-7 to 7-10
representing isolates ET002 and ET003, respectively. Similarly, conidial length varied from 56.7 µm to 89.44 µm for
isolates ET002 and ET003, respectively. The pathogenic variability tested on Thai Super Sweet (TSS) corn variety,
showed that isolates ET001 and ET003 were more aggressive while isolate ET005 was less aggressive among the
isolates tested.
Conclusion, significance and impact of the study: Both morphology and molecular results showed that, the isolates
were identified as E. turcicum. The findings of this study will serve as a baseline for future studies and will help to
minimize losses in yield.
Zea mays
4.Allgrove (Triple A) Syndrome: A Case Report from the Kashmir Valley.
Raiz Ahmad MISGAR ; Nazir Ahmad PALA ; Mahroosa RAMZAN ; Arshad Iqbal WANI ; Mir Iftikhar BASHIR ; Bashir Ahmad LAWAY
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2015;30(4):604-606
Allgrove (Triple A) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cardinal features of adrenal insufficiency due to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) resistance, achalasia, and alacrimia. It is frequently associated with neurological manifestations like polyneuropathy. Since its first description by Allgrove in 1978, approximately 100 cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report an 18-year-old boy diagnosed as having Allgrove syndrome, with ACTH resistant adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, alacrimia, and severe motor polyneuropathy. Alacrimia was the earliest feature evident at the age of 8 years. He presented with achalasia and adrenal insufficiency at 12 and 18 years respectively and developed neurological symptoms in the form of severe muscle wasting at the age of 15 years. Patients with Allgrove syndrome usually manifest adrenal insufficiency and achalasia during first decade of life. Our patient manifested adrenal insufficiency and achalasia in the second decade and manifested neurological dysfunction before adrenal dysfunction.
Adolescent
;
Adrenal Insufficiency
;
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
;
Esophageal Achalasia
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Neurologic Manifestations
;
Polyneuropathies
5.Protective effects of saffron against zearalenone-induced alterations in reproductive hormones in female mice (Mus musculus).
Bashir AHMAD ; Vinoy K SHRIVASTAVA ; Ramadan SALEH ; Ralf HENKEL ; Ashok AGARWAL
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2018;45(4):163-169
OBJECTIVE: Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin with potent estrogenic effects. Saffron is an herbal product that has antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective role of saffron against reproductive toxicity induced by ZEA in female mice. METHODS: Ninety 8-week-old female mice were randomly allocated into three treatment groups. The first group received an intraperitoneal injection of ZEA (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days. The second group received ZEA (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days plus oral saffron daily (50 mg/kg). The third group was treated with a vehicle of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on alternate days, as a control. Ten mice were euthanized from each group at 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) were assessed. The uterus and ovaries were examined for changes in size or morphology. RESULTS: Serum levels of LH, FSH, E2, and P in the female mice treated with ZEA plus saffron were significantly higher than in those treated with ZEA alone, and were not significantly different from those treated with 1% DMSO. The female mice treated with ZEA alone showed a reduction in size of the uterus and abnormal architecture of the ovaries. CONCLUSION: The administration of saffron to female mice resulted in a significant reduction in ZEA-induced alterations in reproductive hormone levels, the size of the uterus, and the morphology of the ovaries.
Animals
;
Antioxidants
;
Crocus*
;
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
;
Estradiol
;
Estrogens
;
Female*
;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
;
Humans
;
Injections, Intraperitoneal
;
Luteinizing Hormone
;
Mice*
;
Ovary
;
Progesterone
;
Uterus
;
Zea mays
;
Zearalenone
6.Rickettsial Infections among the Undifferentiated Febrile Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Northern India: A Longitudinal Study
Tabeen MANSOOR ; Bashir Ahmad FOMDA ; Ajaz Nabi KOUL ; Mushtaq Ahmad BHAT ; Nazima ABDULLAH ; Sudip BHATTACHARYA ; Sheikh Mohd SALEEM
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(1):96-106
Background:
Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is one of the most daunting challenges a physician faces in such settings. Among AUFI, rickettsial infections are most common and related infections (such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Q fever) which are caused by an unusual type of bacteria that can live only inside the cells of another organism. The present study was therefore planned with an objective to estimate the prevalence of rickettsial infection among patients of undifferentiated fever and to determine any association of socio-demographic characteristics with rickettsial disease.
Materials and Methods:
Patients presenting with febrile illness and admitted or attending out-patient department of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar was approached and recruited in the study. Weil Felix Assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay were done to detect the anti-rickettsial antibodies. Serological evidence of a fourfold increase in IgG-specific antibody titer reactive with spotted fever group rickettsial antigen by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays between paired serum specimens was considered a confirmatory diagnosis for the rickettsial disease.
Results:
Most of the patients were males 61.6%, and most 46.2% were in the age group of 20 -39 years. Most of the patients, 80.8% belonged to rural areas, and 48% belonged to the upper middle (II) class of the socio-economic class according to modified Kuppuswamy scale. Of the studied participants, a majority, 47.0%, were determined undiagnosed, while 15.4% studied participants were diagnosed to have a rickettsial disease. In patients positive for typhus group, 67.8% were IgM positive, 28.5% were IgG positive, and only 3% were positive for IgM and IgG. In patients positive for Scrub Typhus Group, 32.7% were positive for IgM, and 62.0% were positive for IgG, and only 5.0% were positive for both IgM and IgG. In patients positive for spotted fever group, 36.1% were positive for IgM, and 58.5% were positive for IgG, and only 5.5% were positive for both IgM and IgG. The prevalence of rickettsial disease was found to be 11.3%.
Conclusion
Rickettsial diseases, typhoid and brucellosis, were the most prevalent diseased diagnosed among patients reporting to hospitals with undifferentiated febrile illness.Clinicians must consider rickettsial diseases as one of the differential diagnosis while treating patients with fever.
7.Rickettsial Infections among the Undifferentiated Febrile Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Northern India: A Longitudinal Study
Tabeen MANSOOR ; Bashir Ahmad FOMDA ; Ajaz Nabi KOUL ; Mushtaq Ahmad BHAT ; Nazima ABDULLAH ; Sudip BHATTACHARYA ; Sheikh Mohd SALEEM
Infection and Chemotherapy 2021;53(1):96-106
Background:
Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is one of the most daunting challenges a physician faces in such settings. Among AUFI, rickettsial infections are most common and related infections (such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Q fever) which are caused by an unusual type of bacteria that can live only inside the cells of another organism. The present study was therefore planned with an objective to estimate the prevalence of rickettsial infection among patients of undifferentiated fever and to determine any association of socio-demographic characteristics with rickettsial disease.
Materials and Methods:
Patients presenting with febrile illness and admitted or attending out-patient department of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar was approached and recruited in the study. Weil Felix Assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay were done to detect the anti-rickettsial antibodies. Serological evidence of a fourfold increase in IgG-specific antibody titer reactive with spotted fever group rickettsial antigen by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays between paired serum specimens was considered a confirmatory diagnosis for the rickettsial disease.
Results:
Most of the patients were males 61.6%, and most 46.2% were in the age group of 20 -39 years. Most of the patients, 80.8% belonged to rural areas, and 48% belonged to the upper middle (II) class of the socio-economic class according to modified Kuppuswamy scale. Of the studied participants, a majority, 47.0%, were determined undiagnosed, while 15.4% studied participants were diagnosed to have a rickettsial disease. In patients positive for typhus group, 67.8% were IgM positive, 28.5% were IgG positive, and only 3% were positive for IgM and IgG. In patients positive for Scrub Typhus Group, 32.7% were positive for IgM, and 62.0% were positive for IgG, and only 5.0% were positive for both IgM and IgG. In patients positive for spotted fever group, 36.1% were positive for IgM, and 58.5% were positive for IgG, and only 5.5% were positive for both IgM and IgG. The prevalence of rickettsial disease was found to be 11.3%.
Conclusion
Rickettsial diseases, typhoid and brucellosis, were the most prevalent diseased diagnosed among patients reporting to hospitals with undifferentiated febrile illness.Clinicians must consider rickettsial diseases as one of the differential diagnosis while treating patients with fever.
8. Investigation of in vivo antioxidant activity of Euphorbia helioscopia latex and leaves methanol extract: A target against oxidative stress induced toxicity
Uzma SALEEM ; Bashir AHMAD ; Mobasher AHMAD ; Khalid HUSSAIN ; Nadeem Irfan BUKHARI ; Uzma SALEEM
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2014;7(S1):S369-S375
Objective: To evaluate in vivo antioxidant activity of latex and leaves methanol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia using mice as experimental animals. Methods: The plant was collected, identified, dried under shade, ground to fine powder and extraction was done. Latex was collected in dried bottles by cutting the stem. Oxidative stress was induced in mice with acute toxic dose of paracetamol administered intrperitoneally. Latex and leaves methanol extract (600 and 1 200 mg/kg) orally, once a day, were given to mice for two weeks. Then oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in tissue homogenates and serum. Results: Leaves methanol extract exhibited prominent in vivo antioxidant effect as compared to latex. Results showed significant rise in antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione) levels at 1 200 mg/kg dose of extract. Thus, extract helped to detoxify the free radicles by increasing antioxidant enzymes levels. Malondialdehyde value decreased significantly with extract (1 200 mg/kg) which was indicator of extract's power to inhibit the generation of free radicals. Extract (1 200 mg/kg) exhibited maximum cure against stress induced changes in liver, kidney, lipid profile parameters and complete blood count. Conclusions: Leaves methanol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia raised antioxidant enzymes levels in mice. It showed hepatorenal-curative effect, hypolipidemic effect and hemostasis potential. Thus, it can help the biological systems to fight against stress induced pathological conditions.
9. Chemical characterization, docking studies, anti-arthritic activity and acute oral toxicity of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves
Uzma SALEEM ; Shingraf ZAIB ; Sana KHALID ; Fareeha ANWAR ; Muhammad AKHTAR ; Bashir AHMAD
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2020;10(10):442-451
Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of the methanolic extract of Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves. Methods: Safety was assessed by acute oral toxicity (OECD 425) study. Anti-arthritic activity was explored by in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation) and in vivo (Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis and carrageenan-induced inflammation) methods. Antioxidant potential was determined by assessing ferric reducing power, DPPH inhibition, and H
10. Fungi as chemical industries and genetic engineering for the production of biologically active secondary metabolites
Abid Ali KHAN ; Umar FAROOQ ; Abid Ali KHAN ; Nafees BACHA ; Bashir AHMAD ; Ghosia LUTFULLAH ; Russell John COX
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2014;4(11):859-870
Fungi is somewhere in between the micro and macro organisms which is a good source of producing biologically active secondary metabolites. Fungi have been used as tool for producing different types of secondary metabolites by providing different nutrients at different laboratory conditions. The fungi have been engineered for the desired secondary metabolites by using different laboratory techniques, for example, homologous and heterologous expressions. This review reported how the fungi are used as chemical industry for the production of secondary metabolites and how they are engineered in laboratory for the production of desirable metabolites; also the biosynthetic pathways of the bio-organic-molecules were reported.